New England has experienced an unusually windy start to the fall season, with Boston recording its windiest meteorological fall since 2010. Data shows that several cities, including Norwood, Worcester, Springfield, Pittsfield, Providence, and Manchester, New Hampshire, have all seen some of their strongest wind gusts during this period, ranking within their top-five windiest starts to fall on record.
In Boston, last year marked the windiest year ever recorded, and current trends suggest that 2026 is on track to be among the top three windiest years for the city, following a similar pattern observed in other parts of the region where some communities may experience their top-five or top-ten windiest years.
The recorded data focuses specifically on wind gusts—brief bursts of high wind speed lasting from a few seconds up to 30 seconds—rather than sustained wind speeds averaged over a longer period. Meteorologists highlight wind gusts as a more accurate measure of the immediate impact wind has on daily life, such as the difficulty in walking outdoors or the behavior of loose objects, with all monitored cities in New England showing above-normal average wind speeds since the start of the year and through the fall season.
The primary driver behind this persistent windiness is a pattern of frequent and dynamic weather systems moving across the Northeast. The region has seen a more active progression of low-pressure systems, coastal storms, and strong cold fronts. These weather events have been guided by a jet stream located slightly farther south and east than usual, often termed the atmospheric "storm highway." This jet stream pattern enhances the frequency and intensity of storms passing close to or directly over the area.
Wind is generated by differences in atmospheric pressure, and this fall, sharp contrasts in pressure over relatively short distances have contributed to strong winds. Notably, early season events, such as a deepening offshore nor’easter in September, created pronounced pressure gradients, boosting winds along the coast and over more exposed inland terrain where natural windbreaks like trees offer less shelter.
Looking ahead, meteorologists expect the strong wind conditions to persist into December and potentially throughout the winter months due to the influence of an intensifying El Niño phenomenon. El Niño tends to shift the jet stream into a more southerly and easterly orientation, increasing the likelihood of storms tracking toward the Northeast. While a higher number of storms does not automatically guarantee windier conditions, the strength, path, and pressure characteristics of each event will determine the extent of wind gust impacts.
Historical trends from recent El Niño winters indicate that the region can expect stronger-than-average wind gusts during this period. While it remains difficult to predict the exact number of days with wind gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour, forecasters anticipate gusty conditions will remain a recurring feature.
Residents are advised to prepare for continued blustery weather throughout the coming months as atmospheric patterns favor active and gust-prone conditions across New England.